Accident Overview
On August 10, 2021, at approximately 1000 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150, registration N66748, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Wadsworth Municipal Airport, Wadsworth, Ohio. The pilot and one passenger were not injured. The airplane was operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Pilot's Account
The pilot reported that after taxiing to runway 21, she conducted an engine run-up using the airplane's checklist, which included magneto and carburetor heat checks. She then taxied into position on the runway, held the brakes, advanced the throttle to full power, and released the brakes to begin the takeoff roll. Shortly after becoming airborne, the pilot noticed the airplane was not climbing normally and heard the stall warning horn. The engine speed rapidly decreased from 2,500 to 1,500 rpm and continued to drop. Due to the low altitude, the pilot stated she had time only to establish best glide speed and prepare for a forced landing to a corn field. After touchdown, the airplane nosed over, causing substantial damage to the fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The airplane remained inverted in the field for approximately 4 days before recovery.
Postaccident Examination
An examination of the engine revealed low compression on the No. 1 cylinder. Borescope inspection found a small amount of carbon and lead fouling on the piston and valves. The valve cover was removed, and all valves moved without restriction. After staking the valves, compression increased from 12/80 to 60/80 with no leaking past the valves. Four days before the accident, at the most recent 100-hour and annual inspection, compression in the No. 1 cylinder was 78/80. All spark plugs were removed and tested; all produced a strong blue spark.
Carburetor Icing Considerations
The ambient temperature (20°C) and dew point (17°C) at the accident site, when plotted on a carburetor icing probability chart, fell within the "moderate icing – cruise power" and "serious icing – descent power" categories. The Cessna 150 pilot's operating handbook states, "carburetor ice, as evidenced by an unexplained drop in RPM, can be removed by application of full carburetor heat."